The special care unit at Borgestadklinikken

Our patients are admitted in accordance with the so-called coercive measures section (Section 10.3 on detention of pregnant substance abusers) of the Norwegian Health and Care Services Act. We also have voluntary admissions in the unit.

This treatment offered at Borgestadklinikken protects pregnant substance abusers and their unborn child against substance abuse.

We attach importance to provide the women with support and guidance in a difficult life situation, and one objective is to create a positive day-to-day life during the admission. We also attach great importance to create good relations between the detained patient and the staff.

The Special Care Unit staff is an interdisiplinary team comprises among others; nurses, social educators and child welfare workers. The patients are followed up by a treatment provider and monitored closely by a midwife and doctors during the pregnancy.

The purpose of the stay

To help the woman to protect her unborn baby

To offer her adequate help for her substance abuse and to become capable of caring for the child

To monitore the pregnancy and prepare the birth of the child

To motivate for further treatment after the birth

Coercion is not a method of treatment, but a framework for alliance and the starting point of the treatment process.

We hold regular meetings with the substance abuse services and the patient.

We recommend collaboration with the child protective services during the stay at Borgestadklinikken

We collaborate with Telemark hospital in connection with the birth.

After the birth

85% will continue with treatment after the birth. (patients who keep custady)

46 % continue in treatment (patients who loose custady)

They are offered treatment and further guidance in our family unit ore in other institutions. Some of the women are in follow up programs in their communities.

The Law

It can be decided that a pregnant substance abuser is admitted, without her owv consent, to an institution selected by the regional health authority…..and is detained there during the entire period of pregnancy if the substance abuse is such that it is higly probable that the child will be born with injuy and if assistance measures are inadequate.

The county welfare board must also address whether urine samples may be taken from the pregnant woman during the stay at the institution.

The purpose of the detention is to prevent or limit the likelihood of injury to the child. During the stay emphasis must be placed on the woman being offered adequate care of the child.